Austrolebias bellottii (Steindachner, 1881)
Argentine pearlfish
photo by Vermeulen, F.

Family:  Rivulidae (Rivulines), subfamily: Cynolebiinae
Max. size:  7 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 1 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.5 - 7; dH range: 5 - 8, non-migratory
Distribution:  South America: Lower ParanĂ¡ and Uruguay River basins.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Seasonal toothcarp living in waters that dry up during the dry season. The adult fishes die but the eggs survive in the mud and hatch in the next rainy season. Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Bottom spawner, 4 months incubation. Is easy to maintain in the aquarium (Ref. 27139).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 19 February 2021 (B2b(i,ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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